The 1960’s and 1970’s have been influential to my art. I am fond of movie stars from other eras, and they have been an immense influence in my stylistic portraits. Music and certain European artists have also been influential. Especially Morrissey, his lyrics are many times about the very subjects and time periods that I paint. I painted a girl with an elongated cigarette for instance, she is turned slightly to the left and is looking over her shoulder. This was influenced by the cover art on a cd of Morrissey’s called “Louder Than Bombs,” it is an image of Sheila Delaney, a 1950’s writer most known for a play called; “A Taste of Honey.”
Other influences are; Alberto Varga, and Surrealism. For the most part, I have been self taught, that is largely why my art is not very refined. Two years ago, I decided to take watercolor at Yuba Community College, and have continued taking it for three semesters. I have been fortunate to have an instructor that was a successful commercial artist since the 1960’s, his name is James McConnell, and he did many beautiful book illustrations such as, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. He drew for the San Francisco Chronicle, and many other commercial projects through the last several decades.
My philosophy is to paint and draw what you are passionate about, if your pieces lack passion, they can be beautiful, but they will lack character. Also, formal education will only refine your work, make it more professional and add definition, not change it. Your originality and style will still come through. Dare to try new things, ask questions of those you admire and that are successful, and trial and error actually teach you a lot. I use vibrant colors, and interesting backgrounds. I exaggerate what is the focal point to me. I try to capture the personality of the person more than the actual looks.
I simply want to make people feel something. Sometimes it is to make a person laugh, sometimes feel some kind of sentiment. I hope that the pieces I have created will be pleasing to someone, somewhere. I have no hope of being famous, I am still learning, and I hope to continue improving.
My name is Jill. I am a U.S.A.F. veteran and graduate of Chico State. I am a mother of three. My daughter Gabby, attends Yuba College, as well! I love to travel and cook. I practice and teach Reiki and Meditation, with classes offered right here at Yuba College in Community Education. So, look for many articles to come on all of the above. “Be the change that your wish to see in the World.” -Gandhi
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